How to Young Adults Take Our Place as Incoming Leaders of the Church?

Discussion Questions:

• Consider the following discussion from the perspective of us as Young Adults looking towards moving in to take our places as upcoming leadership in the Body of Christ
• What traits, behaviors, or expectations should be expected of church leaders?
• How should we approach entering in to leadership?
• As we read the scriptures for this discussion, make a list of advice, attributes, behaviors, and attitudes leadership is tasked with.
• Additional discussion after scripture

Related Scripture (NIV)

• 1 Timothy 5:1-2 (How to handle all the people of the church)
  • “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.”
• 1 Timothy 5:17-21 (How to regard elders in the Church)
  • “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, “do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.”
• Hebrews 13:17-19 (How to regard older & current leadership)
  • “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. 
    Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.”
• Acts 20:28 (The call for Leadership)
  • “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.”
• 1 Peter 5:2-4 (How to shepherd those you lead)
  • “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”
• 2 Corinthians 1:24 (What should motivate leaders)
  • “Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.”
• 2 Timothy 2:22-26 (On conflict & social media?) 
  • “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”
• 1 Timothy 6:11-12a (Encouragement to young leaders)
  • “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith.”
• 1 Timothy 6:20-21 (Encouragement to young leaders)
  • “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.”
• References to plural leadership in the church:
  • Acts 14:23, Acts 20:17, Titus 1:5

Further Discussion Questions:

• So in light of scripture, what do you take away as the most important biblical focus for church leadership?
• How are these unique when we talk about YOUNG adult leadership?
  • What is particular to our demographic?
  • What is different because of our demographic?
  • What is the same regardless?
• Is there a place where you think you might eventually lead within the body of Christ?